Take Three

  “Yes. His family needs him. His girls are in preschool. They can’t travel with him.” Keith moved to the chair across from Lisa. He needed to sit down. “They need to be home and he needs to be on the road.” He pictured Chase’s young daughters. “They were forgetting what he looked like.”

  “This just happened?” Dayne was obviously confused. “Now? When you’re on the verge of making history with Jeremiah Productions?”

  “Yeah.” Keith sucked in a long breath, but it didn’t help. He was still dizzy, still too shocked to fully grasp what was happening. “But Chase had no doubts. Our church staff offered him a position as youth pastor, and he accepted.” Another chuckle came from him. “Lisa and I were just reminding each other that God still had a plan for Jeremiah Productions. That everything wasn’t really going to fall apart. We just couldn’t see what was next.”

  Gradually Dayne must’ve understood. “Until now?”

  “Yes.” Keith reached for Lisa’s hand, and he saw understanding dawn in her eyes. “Until now.”

  “Dear God, thank You.” Lisa bowed her head, her whispered prayer little more than a breath. She must’ve heard some of Dayne’s side of the conversation and pieced together what was happening.

  “Well, then.” Dayne’s quiet laughter bridged the distance in the pause that followed. “I guess there’s just one more question…”

  “When can you start?”

  They talked a few minutes more, and Keith promised to make a trip to Bloomington to talk about details. “But before that, how would you feel about taking meetings with me over the next few weeks? As my co-producer.”

  “This is crazy.” Dayne’s laugh was full now, his enthusiasm clear over the phone lines. “Just tell me when and where.”

  “Your brother Luke can rearrange things, fit the meetings into the next couple weeks, but we’re needed out there pretty much all that time.”

  “Hmmm.” Dayne thought for a moment. “I have an idea.” He went on to explain that he still had friends in real estate outside Los Angeles. “They handle corporate rentals too.” Dayne agreed to make a few phone calls and line up a house on the beach—something with enough room for both their wives and little Sophie. “That way they can have a vacation while we’re taking care of business.”

  Keith’s mind raced. Dayne would have to get up to speed very quickly. They would likely need another few hours on the phone tomorrow, but Dayne seemed certain he could have a place rented by Monday. They could fly in then and hit the ground full speed. What Dayne didn’t know in background information and contract details he would learn. Until then, his name would raise the visibility and credibility of Jeremiah Productions to an even higher level.

  The phone call finally ended and Keith stared at his wife, speechless.

  “Am I understanding this right?” She came to him and knelt at his side, her hand alongside his face. “Dayne Matthews just called and asked if he could work with Jeremiah Productions?”

  “Umm…Yes.” A single laugh slipped from Keith and he lifted his hands, still stunned. “I think so.” He looked around and then put both his hands on her shoulders. “I’m not dreaming, right?”

  “No.” They giggled, giddy over the unbelievable turn of events. “You’re walking in faith.” She looped her arms around his neck and hugged him close.

  As long as they lived they would remember this day. It was as if a sudden storm had come upon them and threatened to capsize their boat, threatened to destroy them and all they’d worked for. But then Jesus Himself had calmed the wind and the waves with a single phone call. Dayne Matthews, wanting to be a part of Jeremiah Productions. Minutes after Chase had stepped down. Only God could’ve done this, and Keith stood, helping Lisa to her feet as well.

  The reality was sinking in and Keith let out a victory shout as he threw his arms around his wife. They weren’t done making movies. God had a plan better than anything they could’ve come up with. Chase was going home to be with his family, and Keith would have the chance to work with one of the top names in Hollywood. A man who had seen the ugliest side of Hollywood, but who still believed that God could use the power of film.

  “Keith!” Lisa pushed back and sucked in a quick gasp. “I have an idea!”

  He laughed again. “I’m not sure I can take much more.”

  “No, this is perfect.” She backed away and paced a few steps, her hand to her forehead. “Dayne lives in Bloomington.”

  “Yes.” Keith wasn’t sure where Lisa was headed with this, but he loved her enthusiasm.

  “Andi will be there for another three years, right?”

  “At least.” He caught a glimpse of what she might be thinking. “You’re saying we—”

  “We move there! We can be closer to Andi, and you and Dayne will be better able to work together.”

  Keith nodded, letting the idea sink in. “Wouldn’t it make more sense for everyone to move to LA?”

  “Dayne won’t want that.” Lisa was adamant. “Neither would we. And LA would be the worst place for Andi. She’s had trouble staying grounded in Indiana.”

  Her excitement was contagious. “We could rent a place in LA when we need to be there, and do most of our filming in Bloomington. Or somewhere close by.”

  “Exactly.” Lisa raised her fist in the air and let out a joyous cry. “This just keeps getting better.”

  Keith realized then how much he’d missed his Andi. She wasn’t young like Chase’s daughters, but she was still their little girl. On the mission field they’d shared every day together for years. Never mind that she was an adult now. She was floundering—they all knew that much. And now they could be together again.

  The receiver was still on the sofa where Keith had placed it after the call from Dayne. Now Lisa raced over and grabbed it. “Let’s call her. She won’t believe everything that’s happened.”

  Keith thought about telling his wife that maybe they should wait. They shouldn’t get Andi excited that her parents were moving closer unless they were sure. “Shouldn’t we pray about it first?”

  “Keith. God’s the one who dropped this in our laps.” Her smile lit the room, but she set the phone down on the arm of the sofa. “Okay, fine. Let’s pray.”

  Again, laughter filled Keith’s throat and he nodded at his wife. “You do it.”

  She took his hands and closed her eyes. “Dear Lord, thank You for making the answers so clear. Please let the pieces fall in place quickly. In Jesus’ name, amen.” She opened her eyes. “Let’s call Andi.”

  Again they laughed together, reveling in God’s goodness and the certainty of His plans for the next season of their lives. They called Andi twice that night, but both times the call went to her voicemail. Keith frowned. “I hope she’s not out with that Taz guy. He’s not good for her.”

  “She’s not.” Lisa stared at the phone and then at Keith. “They stopped seeing each other a month ago.”

  “Good.”

  “She’s probably out with Bailey. She’ll call us back when she gets in.”

  Keith was pensive for a moment, his mind lost on their only daughter. “She needs us.” He looked at Lisa. “Maybe more than we know.”

  “Which leads us to the next thing.” Lisa’s smile was tender, her enthusiasm tempered some in light of their daughter.

  Keith kissed her, this time slow and full on the lips. “What’s the next thing, Mrs. Ellison?”

  “That’s easy.” Her smile reached her eyes once more. “We need to list our house.”

  Eleven

  LIFE HAD BECOME A SUDDEN AND complete whirlwind overnight, but Dayne couldn’t have been happier. Katy was completely on board with his idea—though the speed with which it was happening had taken them both by surprise. The next morning Dayne shared an early conversation with Keith, called his California realtor to secure a beach house for Monday morning, and on Sunday he and Katy and Sophie headed to church.

  The ten o’clock service was where all the Baxters met every Sunday morning
. Dayne and Katy arrived early, and before the service began, Dayne found his father in the lobby. “Hey, Dad,” he couldn’t stop grinning. “We need to talk.”

  “I still love that.” His father smiled. “Hearing you call me Dad.”

  Dayne slipped his arm around his father’s shoulders. “I still love saying it.” He took a step back and glanced toward the front door. He didn’t want to get caught in a conversation with anyone else before he told his dad what was happening. “Can we do a Baxter dinner tonight? Katy and I need to talk to the whole family.”

  “Really?” John raised an eyebrow. “Is Sophie getting a baby brother?”

  “No, no.” Dayne laughed. “Nothing like that. But it’s still big. We’re flying out to Los Angeles in the morning.”

  “The three of you?”

  “Yes. We have a lot to talk about.” People were filing in, and Kari and Ryan and their kids were walking up, their kids chattering as they came. Dayne kept his eyes on his dad. “Dinner tonight?”

  “Sure. I’ll invite the rest.” His dad looked happy to oblige. “Five o’clock?”

  “Perfect.” Dayne hugged his dad again and then hurried back into the sanctuary to join Katy. Sophie was asleep in her arms. Dayne leaned down and kissed his baby daughter’s forehead. Then he did the same to Katy. “We’re on for tonight.”

  “I can’t believe how much we have to do.” She giggled quietly. “You’re a crazy man, Dayne. But what’s life without an adventure?”

  He took the seat beside her. “Think of it as a mission trip.”

  Pastor Mark spoke that morning on answering the call. Time and again, Jesus presented people with the chance to follow Him, and when people truly believed Him, they set down what they were doing that very moment and followed. Dayne listened intently, and beside him he felt Katy squeeze his hand.

  “The point,” Pastor Mark said, “is that we need to be listening. When God calls us, it’s time to act—whatever He’s asking us to do. We should have our yes on the table at all times.”

  Dayne smiled to himself throughout the hour. The sermon seemed written specifically for him. Clearly God was working in all this. The words from Scripture that morning were further proof. When church ended, the Baxters gathered in the foyer and John invited everyone for dinner. Brooke and Peter had to cancel plans with friends, but they didn’t think it would be a problem. Everyone else was free.

  “Looks like we’ll all be there.” John smiled at his kids and their families. Then he winked at Cole, Ashley’s son. “I bet there are still tadpoles in the pond.”

  “Really?” Cole was eleven now, but he still loved spending time at the pond with his grandpa. He nudged his brother. “You hear that, Devin? We better get there first.”

  Landon gave his wife a questioning look. “What do you think, Ash? We can get there at four, maybe?”

  “Yeah, because you’re the biggest kid of all.” Her eyes held an endless sort of love for him. “That’s fine. I’ll help Elaine with dinner. You and my dad and the boys can do your pond thing.”

  The plan was set and everyone headed out. Katy talked the whole way home about what to pack, but in the end she didn’t put together much. Just enough clothes to get through a week. The house they were renting had a washer and dryer. And they could always shop if they needed something.

  Time flew, and hours later when they pulled up at the Baxter house, Dayne was amazed at all they’d accomplished. “Who would’ve thought so much could change in a single weekend?” He cut the engine and let his head fall back against the seat.

  “It’s a little hard to believe, still. I mean, the idea of Chase stepping down now?” Katy reached back and took hold of Sophie’s little hand. “Not that I blame him. Our kids are only little for so long.”

  “I wouldn’t do this if you and Soph couldn’t come with me.” He looked back at his daughter. “I can’t believe you’re already two, right little one?”

  “A’most two!” Sophie giggled and rocked forward in her car seat, pointing to the big farmhouse. “See Papa, Daddy?”

  “Yes, baby. We’re going to see Papa.” Dayne opened his door, but he stayed seated. “No matter what happens, I don’t want to move away.” He looked at the Baxter house and a rush of memories flooded his heart. “This is where our family is; it’s home.”

  Relief lifted Katy’s expression. “We haven’t talked about it, but I feel the same way. A few weeks in LA is one thing, but this…the Baxter family? I couldn’t walk away now.”

  “Not after all it took to find them.”

  “Exactly.”

  They climbed out, and Dayne unbuckled Sophie’s car seat. She was running now, and Dayne watched her go as he set her down.

  “Papa!” Her hair was as blonde as Katy’s, as blonde as her big cousin, Cole. She had Katy’s fine features, but her eyes were the same as most of the Baxter kids. Baxter blue, they called it.

  As they walked in the side door, Cole and Devin came through the front with Landon and Dayne’s dad in tow. “Papa was right!” Cole’s enthusiasm never dimmed. “The best of the season!” He had a small fishbowl, and swimming inside were a number of tadpoles.

  “Wonderful.” Ashley stepped out of the kitchen, a spatula in her hand. She directed it at Cole. “They stay in the laundry room this time.”

  “Aw, Mom. They hate the laundry room.” Cole peered in at them, and next to him, Devin did the same. “They like people. Tadpoles are social.”

  “They are.” Dayne took a few steps toward Cole and squinted at the glass bowl. “I read that tadpoles are more social than dogs.”

  Laughter came from the kitchen. “Come on, Dayne.” Katy was washing her hands at the sink. “No one’s that good an actor!”

  The conversation continued as first Kari and Ryan and their three kids, then Brooke and Peter and their two girls, and finally Erin and Sam and their four daughters all arrived. By then, Luke’s wife Reagan and their two kids had been there most of the afternoon. With Luke doing business in LA more often, Reagan liked spending Sundays at the Baxter house.

  Dayne found a kickball in the garage and set the cousins up outside. The three littlest girls were too small to play, so they sat on the porch steps and watched. Sophie, and Ashley’s youngest—Janessa Faith, along with Kari’s little one—three-year-old Annie.

  But that still left twelve cousins suddenly engaged in a wild, rule-free game of kickball. “I’m captain,” Cole announced. “Everyone line up and we’ll pick teams.”

  “No! I’m captain.” Tommy stuck out his chest. “I pick Maddie!”

  Cole gave his younger cousin a patient look. “We can both be captains.”

  “And I’m on Tommy’s team.” Maddie high-fived Tommy. “We can beat Cole any day.” She smiled sweetly at Cole. “You know it’s true.”

  Cole surveyed the kids on the line and pointed at his strapping younger brother. “I pick Devin.”

  Dayne chuckled quietly from the porch steps. He loved times like this, and he sat by the little girls for a few minutes. He especially loved watching Hayley run with the other kids. Hayley was nine this summer, and her disabilities were almost too slight to notice. Dayne hadn’t known his family back when Hayley had nearly died in a drowning in their family pool. But he’d heard stories from Brooke and Peter and the other Baxters. Hayley’s doctors had given her only a slim chance at life back then, certain she’d never leave her bed if she survived. Every day was a miracle for Hayley, proof that God would forever have the final word.

  Ashley stepped outside and took the spot beside him. Dayne was close to all his sisters, but he and Ashley would always have a special bond. She was the one who had pursued him the hardest, the sister who first figured out that Dayne was part of the Baxter family. “Hi, there.”

  “Hi.” He had to talk loud to be heard above the kids.

  “You coach?”

  “Referee.”

  “Good luck.” She laughed and hugged her knees to her chest. After a while she smiled at
him. “It’s hard to imagine heaven any better than this.”

  Dayne nodded, and he understood even more why Chase had to back out of Jeremiah Productions. He couldn’t imagine a day when Sophie might forget what he looked like or no longer remember the sound of his voice. He thought about telling Ashley, but he decided to wait. The story was too long to tell twice. He smiled at his sister. “What’s new?”

  “We have tadpoles.” Ashley grinned. “But that’s not really new.” She angled her face. “Landon’s been promoted at the station, and I’m working on a new painting. The Baxter house with a bunch of blonde kids playing out front. Too many to count.”

  “Sounds perfect.” He remembered the loss their family had suffered a few years ago when Ashley’s baby, Sarah, had died hours after birth. She and Brooke had opened a crisis pregnancy center in honor of the infant. “How’s Sarah’s House?”

  “Great.” Ashley’s eyes told him she was glad he’d asked, glad people still remembered little Sarah. “Every week girls are coming in. Only God knows how many babies have been saved because of the work taking place there.”

  Dayne was about to ask how Cole was doing in baseball. He’d made All-Stars, Dayne knew that much. But Elaine opened the door and called out, “Dinner! Everyone wash up!”

  They filed in, and somehow through the craziness of so many kids and a dozen conversations, they wound up seated at two long tables in the Baxter dining room. Dayne was practically bursting with his and Katy’s news, but he waited while the others talked. Sam’s company was laying off, but he’d been told late last week that his position was safe. “We’re grateful,” Erin said. She looked beyond relieved. “Sam and I don’t want to move again.”

  “I’d switch jobs first.” He smiled at the faces around the table. “What we have here, it’s too special to walk away from again.”

  Dayne knew their story, how they’d lived in Texas for several years. Now that they were here, Dayne had to agree. The family wouldn’t be the same without them.

  The conversation shifted to Brooke and Peter, and the way their medical practices were growing. “I think the recession must be lifting. Bloomington seems to be adding new families all the time.”